Skip to main content

5 ways to make your patio feel less dated

Do you enjoy hosting outdoor dinners for friends and family? Or do you love reclining outdoors, enjoying nature while reading a good book? A patio adds a whole other room to your home—albeit a room outside the structure itself. Nonetheless, this often becomes your family’s “living room” during the warm weather seasons.

However, you might have noticed that this space hasn’t changed much in the last decade. Therefore, you might be ready to update your tired patio by adding a few eye-catching amenities. Check out these ideas.

stone paving on the patio
Max Vakhtbovych / Pexels

Redefine your patio space with pavers

Installing pavers is a great way to redefine a typical concrete slab patio. Concrete pavers are affordable and come in a variety of sizes, shapes, and colors. Additionally, flagstone, cobblestone, brick, and tile are viable options for a long-lasting surface. To really add a distinctive look, you can try different shades to create a mosaic pattern.

Recommended Videos

Plus, you’ll have an easier time maintaining and repairing this type of outdoor flooring. You only have to fix one brick as opposed to redoing an entire slab. Also, the fix lasts much longer than patching up the cracks on concrete.

patio shade over seating
pexels.com

Add some cool shade to update your tired patio.

Create an outdoor haven by erecting shade over your porch. You can make use of some white mosquito netting by attaching them to your home’s exterior with hooks, similar to an awning. The chic canopy will tone down the harsh sunlight and bugs.

greenery and comfortable chair
Skylar Kang

Spruce up the outdoor furniture and include some plant life

If you have metal or rattan patio furniture that doesn’t come clean after a rinse-off, you might consider using spray paint to revitalize (or completely change) the color. Likewise, if the cushions show some wear, you can replace them with a whole new color scheme that compliments the colors of the frames.

Adding potted plants or vases with fresh flowers gives more color and texture to your outdoor space. Plants can be placed on tables as centerpieces, or they can brighten up the corners of the patio. Wherever you choose their placement, you might need to get varieties that don’t require full exposure to the sun.

Likewise, if you wish to keep low-maintenance plants on the patio, you can choose from different varieties of succulents. These types tend to stay small in stature but still add a pop of color, especially if they’re the flowering variety. Nonetheless, they also make cute centerpieces.

fire pit in the backyard
Max la Rochelle / Unsplash

Add a fire pit

When considering how to update your patio, you might try adding a fire pit. They add a fun and cozy flair to your outdoor space. You can fashion a fire pit out of the same type of bricks you would use for a retainer wall. One trick to try is to alternate two different tones as you’re stacking them.

For a square-shaped fire pit, you can use rectangular bricks or flagstones. Just be sure to consult with an expert at the home improvement or masonry shop about which materials can best withstand the heat.

outdoor patio lighting
Marco Cisneros / Unsplash

Incorporate lighting

There are so many lighting options to choose from, but they all share one thing in common. They all add a unique touch of beauty to your patio. For example, you can take a string of Edison bulbs to hang around the edge of a pergola or across the outer edge of the house. You can accomplish a similar but more subdued effect with tiny LED lights.

Yet another idea is to place ground lighting around the outer perimeter of the patio’s surface. You can also arrange faux or citronella candles on the main table and the end tables for a brighter effect.

All in all, the extension of your living space requires as much attention, especially when it’s starting to look a little dated. Therefore, when you’re pondering how to update patio furniture and ambiance, you can look to any of these (or a combination of these) ideas. You’re bound to find an option that suits your taste in outdoor decorating, serves a function when entertaining, and, best of all, fits your budget. So, take a tape measure and your imagination and get ready to add new life to your outdoor haven.

Leslie Anderson
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Leslie Anderson is a freelance writer/writing coach from Roswell, N.M. She enjoys gardening, cooking, and helping students…
7 easy ways to update your home for under $500
Update your home with these inexpensive, easy projects
Couple painting white walls

When most homeowners think of renovations, they think of time-consuming projects that always run over budget. And often, they’re right. But updating your home doesn’t have to cost an arm and a leg. Tearing down cabinets and installing brand-new hardwood floors aren’t the only ways to up your home design game.

With a bit of planning and elbow grease, you can refresh your space with inexpensive home remodeling projects that will have a considerable impact. Here are seven DIY home projects that you can easily complete for less than $500.
1. Give the bathroom a makeover

Read more
Our 10 favorite October fall flowers for your home
Give your outdoor space some sprucing up with autumn blooms
Potted flowers and gardening spade.

October brings a vibrant change to your home garden with a variety of blooms that thrive in the crisp autumn air. Whether you’re planning to refresh your outdoor space or bring a burst of color inside, there are several October fall flowers that stand out. From the classic marigold to the elegant rose, these flowers add both beauty and warmth to your home this season. Let’s explore some of the best flowers to plant and care for during October.
1. Marigolds

Marigolds are a beloved staple in many autumn gardens. Their vibrant hues, ranging from gold to deep orange, make them the perfect October flowers for your home. Aside from their aesthetic appeal, marigolds are incredibly hardy and can tolerate the cooler fall temperatures.
Care tips
Marigolds thrive best in full sun and well-draining soil. They are great for relatively low-maintenance landscaping and only need occasional watering. Deadheading spent blooms encourages new growth, allowing the plant to continue producing flowers throughout the fall.
2. Hydrangeas

Read more
9 Halloween door decoration ideas you’ll absolutely love
Give your entryway the spooky makeover it deserves for Halloween
Fall front door decor with a wreath and pumpkins

Is it time for a Halloween shopping spree? The front door is the perfect place to start when reimagining your home's decor this season. It's like your home's warm smile, inviting guests in and beckoning trick-or-treaters toward their next handful of candy. It is seen from the street, so any neighbors or passersby can appreciate all your hard work. Whether you're going for spooky, scary, or adorable, there is something for everyone in these awesome Halloween door decorations, and they're all perfect for this autumn holiday.

These nine door decoration ideas for Halloween will make your house the envy of all your neighbors this year. No matter your style, we're pretty certain one (or more) of these will catch your eye.
1. Halloween wreath

Read more